Inventory of the Potter/Hindle Family Papers In the New Bedford Whaling Museum Research LibraryProcessed by: Jalien Hollister; machine-readable finding aid created by: Mark ProcknikInventory of the Potter/Hindle Family Papers In the New Bedford Whaling Museum Research Library

This collection contains the papers of William Potter 2nd (1809-1892), his two sons Edward F. (1839-1914) and Charles W. (b. 1848), and Abner Potter Jr. (1783-1853). The papers of Captain Michael Cumiskey (1816-1874), related to the Potters by marriage, are also included. These papers also include the documents relating to the numerous fishing and whaling vessels connected to the Potters' business as owners and agents.

According to Llewellyn Howland III, former New Bedford Whaling Museum board member and chairman of the Museum's Scholarship and Publications Committee, the Potter story is "important for several reasons: it sheds bright light on the work of a major Dartmouth whaling merchant and agent (of whom there were, of course, far fewer than their New Bedford counterparts); it concerns the construction and voyages of at least one vessel – the Bark Matilda Sears - that was built right in Dartmouth at South Wharf by the famous black shipwright Matthews, Mashow, Co. and, ...[this addition] to the Potter material already in the archives of the Whaling Museum, it offers a far more complete story of a whaling merchant's business activities then has usually survived from whaling days."

The Potter Family Papers consist of materials associated with their business operations as owners and agents of a number of fishing schooners and whaling ships. In most cases, the papers and documents have been filed into folders as they were found in the envelopes created by the Potters or their clerks. Researchers should note that these papers are an addition to Mss 102, an existing manuscript collection consisting of Potter family papers.

Also included in this collection is an appendix comprised of oversized documents and material removed to oversized storage. Other related collections are noted, as well as notes on the several ships documented in this collection. Also included is a sketch of a sail plan for the Cape Horn Pigeon which has been removed to oversized storage. Additional materials consist of two Potter family and Cumiskey family genealogies. Notes by Charles F. Batchelder (1898-1973) and the New Bedford Whaling Museum Research Library card catalog entries are also included.

Access to Collections

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